Major PS4 update improves video editing and sharing options

When we compared the launch editions of the Xbox One and PS4 back in November, Microsoft's system had the definite edge when it came to the ability to edit captured video to share online at a later time. Sony has finally gotten around to playing catch-up on this feature with its latest firmware update, which adds new video editing features and other necessary system-level improvements.

The new ShareFactory app, available after upgrading to PS4 firmware version 1.7 today, adds the kind of robust video editing package that should have been a part of the system at launch. Players can now cut together video clips recorded using the PS4's Share button much more easily before posting them online and supplement their clips with video or audio commentary, custom soundtracks, and other special effects.

Today's update also finally brings the long-promised ability to disable the PS4's HDCP protection for games, allowing users to record gameplay using external capture hardware. Players can now also export saved videos via USB stick, for advanced editing on a PC. For those more interested in streaming live gameplay, the update also adds the ability to archive Twitch and UStream broadcasts after the fact, and it increases the maximum resolution for streamed gameplay to 720p.

Sony also seems to be taking a page from Steam's playbook with its latest update by allowing preloaded downloads for "select pre-ordered games from the PlayStation Store." These unnamed titles will be available to download "several days in advance" of their release and will be ready to play as soon as the clock ticks over to launch day.

There are a few more miscellaneous features included in the new update, including the ability to dim the brightness on the DualShock 4 lightbar and launch apps using voice commands picked up by the PlayStation Camera. The PlayStation Blog has a full list of the new features available starting today.

Microsoft offered a major system software update for the Xbox One back in February, and another just this month, adding necessary improvements to things like social functions, voice commands, and internal storage management.

I'm excited for this. Not for my own sake (I don't even own a PS4), but the Achievement Hunter guys have been promising PS4-based Let's Plays once this update happens, and those guys produce a large chunk of my daily entertainment. Chunky chunky entertainment.

If they let you export video using USB media, does that mean i can finally go back to watching other stuff stored on my flash drives?

Probably shouldn't hold my breath during this update....

Nope. This update is basically all about sharing. I'd rather get the game suspend they were talking about prelaunch then HDCP protection off. Seriously, how many people use these features outside let's players? Almost every time I've hit share it's because I think it's select, not because I actually want to share.

You can also use the official PS app to change avatars (camera pictures or take a picture). That seems to be viable threw PS4 users only. Online and message boards still shows the old avatar. (maybe they are working on syncing everything).

Steam had preloading games since 200-effin-4 with HL2(at least I think that was the first one).Not only is preloading good for consumers since they can play faster, but it is also a boon to servers since they won't get smashed night of release.Good job catching up almost a decade later.

Steam had preloading games since 200-effin-4 with HL2(at least I think that was the first one).Not only is preloading good for consumers since they can play faster, but it is also a boon to servers since they won't get smashed night of release.Good job catching up almost a decade later.

The world of the internet was quite different a decade ago. Not nearly as many people had high speed internet at home let alone WiFi. Sure Steam had the feature set... for the audience they were seeking. Home console gamers are varied enough to have made that choice difficult.

If they let you export video using USB media, does that mean i can finally go back to watching other stuff stored on my flash drives?

Probably shouldn't hold my breath during this update....

Nope. This update is basically all about sharing. I'd rather get the game suspend they were talking about prelaunch then HDCP protection off. Seriously, how many people use these features outside let's players? Almost every time I've hit share it's because I think it's select, not because I actually want to share.

Hopefully 2.0 is better.

Enough people capture footage externally that it became a big deal before the launch of the system.

I'm confused why you would enable HDCP for game footage in the first place. Does Sony just have a policy of using all DRM, no matter if it makes sense or not?

I don't know what all the reasons are, but between games being "pre-released" to media outlets and developers wanting to do closed alphas/betas outside of their studio without game footage getting captured, allowing devs to enable HDCP gives them a bit of a chance to help ensure game footage isn't released prematurely.

If they let you export video using USB media, does that mean i can finally go back to watching other stuff stored on my flash drives?

Probably shouldn't hold my breath during this update....

Nope. This update is basically all about sharing. I'd rather get the game suspend they were talking about prelaunch then HDCP protection off. Seriously, how many people use these features outside let's players? Almost every time I've hit share it's because I think it's select, not because I actually want to share.

Hopefully 2.0 is better.

Enough people capture footage externally that it became a big deal before the launch of the system.

A vocal enough minority that it became a "big deal" before the launch of the system. That is, the people on Youtube and the gaming press. I doubt even 1% of PS4 owners will ever capture video externally.

I think I've waited long enough. I'm satisfied that the PS4 is ready for my livingroom. I like having the first iteration of console hardware, but i don't like putting up with the bullshit (bugs, missing features, etc) that the first 6 months or so present upon a new console release.

If they let you export video using USB media, does that mean i can finally go back to watching other stuff stored on my flash drives?

Probably shouldn't hold my breath during this update....

Nope. This update is basically all about sharing. I'd rather get the game suspend they were talking about prelaunch then HDCP protection off. Seriously, how many people use these features outside let's players? Almost every time I've hit share it's because I think it's select, not because I actually want to share.

Hopefully 2.0 is better.

Enough people capture footage externally that it became a big deal before the launch of the system.

A vocal enough minority that it became a "big deal" before the launch of the system. That is, the people on Youtube and the gaming press. I doubt even 1% of PS4 owners will ever capture video externally.

True enough, but given the state of the industry today when you are launching a new console it would be foolish not to court these demographics.

I've got an Xbox One but glad to see this update around pre-loading from Sony and good news for the PS4 owners. Hopefully the spirit of competition will push Microsoft to do the same (my broadband is so slow, precisely due to a lack of competition sadly) and that for the Sony guys it moves beyond just a few select titles. I'll pick up a PS4 later in the cycle to complement the Xbox and my relatively high end PC so also nice to see it maturing as well.

Pre-loading makes so much more sense for both platforms. Now if only I could buy digital codes for all Xbox One games from an online store such as Amazon given they are so much cheaper for physical copies than the console online store (also ridiculous and I assume a similar quandary for the PS4 digital store vs online retailers)!

Hopefully turning down the controller light-bar brightness will increase its battery life a bit.

I hope so too, but I thought there was an interview with someone at Sony who said not to expect it because the light bar used a very low-power source already. I would actually love it if there was some software method of extending the battery life, because it's atrocious. I can get by with charging after every session, but I feel like I shouldn't have to.

I think I've waited long enough. I'm satisfied that the PS4 is ready for my livingroom. I like having the first iteration of console hardware, but i don't like putting up with the bullshit (bugs, missing features, etc) that the first 6 months or so present upon a new console release.

I'm still waiting for DLNA streaming. My PS3 and Xbox 360 can play movies off my media server, but the PS4 still lacks this, and the Xbox One requires a pretty unfeasible hack (to me) to pull it off.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Steam had preloading games since 200-effin-4 with HL2(at least I think that was the first one).Not only is preloading good for consumers since they can play faster, but it is also a boon to servers since they won't get smashed night of release.Good job catching up almost a decade later.

Good lord. I can practically guarantee you that this feature was always planned, they've just been developing and testing and it hasn't been ready to launch yet. Its a brand new platform, 6 months after launch. Sheesh.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Um, not sure if haven't been paying the least bit of attention but Sony literally did a 99 cent sale for several games last week, they are currently doing a Golden Week sale right now with lots of stuff for 50-75% depending on if you are a PS+ member. They run sales all time, with some pretty steep discounts.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Six months ago I would have agreed with you, but Sony has been stepping it up lately. They're hold Steam-like sales pretty often now. There was one last week with a a few dozen games for 99 cents each, include all five episodes of adventure games by Telltale. This week it's a dozens of Japanese games. If you're a PS+ subscriber it's always a bigger discount. (Yes, its subscription, but you keep the games you buy at these extra discounts).

MS has had some good sales offering retail games like Dark Souls for $5, but those are still pretty few and far between.

They're catching up - and it's thanks to competition from Steam, GOG and Humble Bundles.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

To be honest if its a game I really want then I'd be happy to buy it through another online or even physical retailer with a box and a code. The one one I found was CoD Ghosts which was about £15-20 cheaper than the Xbox Online store, came in a slim box with an Xbox One Code that also worked with the 360. I believe those offers on Xbox One and PS4 were just to get people buying the games pre launch of the consoles but why they can't just continue doing this for just the current gen consoles?

~ £30-40 is what I'd expect for an A list game I want to play and will get the value from, and often you can get console games for that as physical media but they are £50-£59 on the bleeping online store.

I'm not fussed about the crazy Steam sales side being copied absolutely. I'm one of those who has tons of un-played games due to those sales, their low value doesn't prompt me to play them to completion and the quantity to finish can become so overwhelming I end up not playing at all (daft, but true).

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Um, not sure if haven't been paying the least bit of attention but Sony literally did a 99 cent sale for several games last week, they are currently doing a Golden Week sale right now with lots of stuff for 50-75% depending on if you are a PS+ member. They run sales all time, with some pretty steep discounts.

Not very long ago, i hooked myself up with Remember Me, Bioshock Infinite, PayDay2 and a few other games Plus members got FOR FREE. Playstation plus is a helluva bargain for $50 a year. Deep discounts and free shit every month. And not just basement bin free shit. AAA free shit. I agree that they seem to have a pretty good grip on their audience.

Between Steam sales and my Plus subscription, I've got several games on both platforms; the combined cost of which was way less than retail.

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Sony has had like three sales in the past month. One is running right now

Microsoft and Sony are largely stuck in the era of "A digital store never runs out of shelf space, we never need to discount!". They've been reluctant to embrace Valve's much more successful model of "Discount all the things and watch everybody go crazy", because the old corporate middle managers are terrified of leaving money on the table.

Plus, they may have relationships with retailers that say "We won't undercut your prices, because we still think Brick and Mortar sales are important in this generation." This is as opposed to the PC game industry, which was getting crapped on by physical retailers already and had no love to lose.

Um, not sure if haven't been paying the least bit of attention but Sony literally did a 99 cent sale for several games last week, they are currently doing a Golden Week sale right now with lots of stuff for 50-75% depending on if you are a PS+ member. They run sales all time, with some pretty steep discounts.

Not very long ago, i hooked myself up with Remember Me, Bioshock Infinite, PayDay2 and a few other games Plus members got FOR FREE. Playstation plus is a helluva bargain for $50 a year. Deep discounts and free shit every month. And not just basement bin free shit. AAA free shit. I agree that they seem to have a pretty good grip on their audience.

Between Steam sales and my Plus subscription, I've got several games on both platforms; the combined cost of which was way less than retail.

Yes i will play some things on both platforms on occasion.

Hmm, I know there are some good deals on PS Plus and a few on XBL but they all currently seem to be for older games (even if AAA) or consoles which is understandable given we don't yet have old releases on new consoles. What annoys me is the fact the same game on PS4 or Xbox digital stores are so much more expensive than a physical copy. Let Amazon etc sell PS4 or Xbox digital codes for all games so we can get better prices. Or, leverage stuff like PS4s new pre-load capability to give a much lower price if you pre-order from the official store, even if it needs to be at the expense of refund permissions.

Some games I'd rather play on my Xbox One (or PS4 when add one) than my much more powerful PC just for convenience etc (even though my PC is attached to TV in living room) but when the same digital downloadable games can be twice as much at launch I'm having to pass up on that convenience.

I think I've waited long enough. I'm satisfied that the PS4 is ready for my livingroom. I like having the first iteration of console hardware, but i don't like putting up with the bullshit (bugs, missing features, etc) that the first 6 months or so present upon a new console release.

Do you watch any 3D Blu-rays? If so, you might want to hold off as the PS4 still doesn't support it yet.

You can also use the official PS app to change avatars (camera pictures or take a picture). That seems to be viable threw PS4 users only. Online and message boards still shows the old avatar. (maybe they are working on syncing everything).

The take-it-yourself profile pic is only shown to people that you have personally granted Real Name access to. Everyone else just sees the generic PSN avatar and your handle.

New PlayStation Plus Icon: For Plus members, you’ll now have the PS Plus icon appear next to your SEN ID on the login screen, home screen and other areas across the PS4 system’s sleek user interface.

How about they actually have the PSN store stop asking me to buy PS+ when I already have it purchased? How about a simple little check that if you have PS+ then it will take you to the PS+ games and discounts instead of just offering to purchase another year of PS+.

I'm most excited about the controller light dimming. I don't understand the point of the light. I can't see it when I'm playing except for the glare it causes on my TV. So at least now, I'll be holding a dimmer flashlight.

Kyle Orland / Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA.